Monday, February 16, 2015

Can't win

Jinxes are a fun cop out, but maybe there is something to this team being cursed. How else do you explain Heckmann's point blank layup at the end of the first OT not going in? BC's couldn't keep up the momentum in the second OT and lost to Miami. Heckmann's play was bad -- Brad Daugherty was incredulous that he didn't dunk. But it wasn't the sole reason BC loss. I do think there is something to playing closer games. Maybe the luck will turn. Here are some other thoughts.

-- The Heckmann play. Lost in the missed layup was the great play design. Christian made a great call. The 'Canes focused on Hanlan, our guys spread out and Heckmann had a clear path to the basket. I tell myself that with better recruits, that design wins the game.
-- Terrible shooting. It is amazing that BC pushed this game as far as it did with such a bad shooting afternoon. No one could make a basket and plenty of misses were near the rim.
-- Where were the students? I hoped that students might use the snow and double header as an excuse to come to the game. It seemed like they used the unique time and weather to stay away. The team won't be better until most of current students are gone, so I understand people not caring. However, they missed a fun, free game.

What are your thoughts? Leave your thoughts and feedback in the comments section.

16 comments:

Hoib said...

I don't think this game should be summed up as just another loss. Christian called the team out for lack of effort after the Cuse game and the team responded. It's a shame the shot didn't go down for Heckman because he really played a great game.

PJeagle said...

I was at the game so Indidn't see a replay of the Heckmann miss. What a great call. Great execution but the ball just didn't go in. I was wondering too. Could Heckmann have dunked it or was it just a finger roll that didn't go in ala the Pitt game? I couldn't believe he missed that shot. He couldn't believe it either if you watched him afterward. He's a good kid. Just like the team, can't catch a break. Would like to see the play again and see if he could have gathered himself for a slam or did he have to get it up there quickly and the finger roll just didn't go in.

Hoib said...

PJ

Dougherty, who did the game on TV said Pat should have dunked, but he was effusive in his praise for how well Heckman played overall.

Bravesbill said...

That's true Hoib, even Meter and Abrams said Heckmann should have dunked. That said, once again Hanlan couldn't hit free throws in the clutch which cost BC. Both Meter and Abrams were openly calling for Heckmann and even Clifford to take those free throws after the flagrant foul in the last minute of the game. BC also does not play intelligent basketball. Brown committed two of the dumbest fouls I've ever seen in the last 25 seconds of the first OT which basically cost BC the game. Hanlan made a few strategic mistakes late in the second OT (hoisting a wild 3 when BC was down 4 with under 20 minutes left instead of trying to extend the game). On a positive note, Hanlan does seem to have gotten into a groove the past month. I wonder if this will tempt him to enter the draft. Heckmann also had a really good game, outside of the missed layup.

Flexman said...

I guess you can find a silver lining in a lot of things including this team but the fact remains that these guys are 1-12 in conference. Running out of so called winnable games.

Hoib said...

BB

I think most of the questionable play from Brown and particularly from O, late in the game, are a question of fatigue. He logged 49 minutes, mentally it's allot easier to put up a bad 3, than to gather yourself for the umpteenth time to take it to the rack. These guys are forced to play way to many minutes. Think of what O has to do? He has the ball all the time and has to guard the oppositions best guard. It's just too much!

mod10aeagle said...

I wonder if Brad Dougherty has ever played 47 minutes. Heckmann was at the 42 mark when his finger roll came up on inch short of being the winning basket.

Heckmann and Hanlan (49 minutes) gave it everything they had and both played great. They just need more support on the offensive end.

I'd like to see a shot chart that shows where all of BCs shots originated. I can only remember three or four attempts that were neither from beyond the arc or inside the paint. The offense has no play for a mid-range jumper, but perhaps that's because the team has no player that can hit a mid-range jumper.

Bravesbill said...

Brown may have been tired but there was no excuse for those two fouls (esp. the first one). If you give up a layup, BC would still be up 2, with the ball, with less than 20 seconds left in the game. That And 1 foul allowed Miami to get a three point play and then tie the game with 2 free throws after a missed FT by BC. Totally inexcusable.

Hoib said...

BB

It was a very bad foul, but to avoid fouling you have to move your feet. Much harder to do when you're spent.

Mod10

In studies it has beeen proven that mid range is the poorest shot to take in BB. Fewest points per attempt, so hence you see less and less of it. Our biggest failing is our lack of production in the paint. We don't get enough buckets there nor do we create trips to the line. As hard as it is to watch sometimes we have to keep going to Clifford down there and hope he develops better touch. His footwork and positioning is pretty
good.

mod10aeagle said...

Thanks for that perspective, Hoib, but damn that's depressing. Never had the quickness to drive and grew up before the arc. Mid-range was everything. Well, at least now I can stop bitching about it.

Hoib said...

Mod10

Completely different game since the Arc.

Think Bill Russell v MJ

mod10aeagle said...

I feel better already.

mod10aeagle said...

Here's more on the Death of the Mid-Range Jumper: http://www.krossover.com/blog/2012/10/death-of-the-mid-range-jumper-statistically-speaking/

Bravesbill said...

Surprisingly BC did outscore Miami in the paint by a pretty decent margin....and still lost. First time all year they outscored an opponent in the paint.

Bravesbill said...

First time they did that to an ACC opponent I should say.

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